Refrigerating apparatus



May 9, 1939. D. o. CAMERON 2,157,590

REFRIGERATING APPARATUS Filed Feb. 3, 1957 m /0 [Huh 1 Mi W i [II p Bow 0. CH/Vt'RO/V.

Patented May 9, 1939 UNITED STATES FATENT OFFICE 1 Claim.

This invention comprises a novel form of refrigerating unit, particularly designed with a view to the cooling of beer, or any similar liquid which is customarily furnished in a cask, keg, drum,

or like receptacle, from which the liquid is intended to be dispensed for drinking purposes. The particular utility of the present invention is in connection with the cooling of beer, which is supplied to retail vendors quite commonly in kegs, or small barrels and dispensed therefrom by the use of a dispensing faucet forming a part of a dispensing unit, air pressure being applied to the liquid in the barrel to force said liquid from the dispensing unit.

An especial object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerating unit adaptable for use in connection with the keg or receptacle in which the beer or like liquid is supplied to the retailer, the refrigerating unit being such that it will enable the barrel or receptacle to be disposed therein very readily, and also being so constructed as to permit the application of the dispensing unit to the receptacle through a Wall of the refrigerating chamber in which the receptacle may be disposed.

An especial object of the invention is to provide a refrigerating unit of utmost simplicity of construction for the purpose in view, and which does not require any alteration in the form or structure of the container from which the liquid is to be dispensed in order to enable the said container to be disposed in the said refrigerating unit and connected up with the dispensing equipment while enclosed by the refrigerating unit.

In the accompanying drawing Figure l is a front elevation of a double refrigerating unit of the type comprised in the invention.

Figure 2 is a sectional view transversely through one of the refrigerating units, making up the double structure of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a section taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 2, showing the refrigerating unit before the emplacement of the dispensing equipment in position.

Figure 4 is a top View of the closure member as used in connection with each of the refrigerating units illustrated in Figures 1 to 3.

In the drawing Figure 1 illustrates a refrigcrating unit which is of the so-called automatic type. According to this view the unit comprises a body A composed of two sections, each of which is virtually a refrigerating unit of itself, comprising a refrigerating chamber B composed of double walls receiving therebetween insulation at C. Suitable cooling coils I are mounted in the refrigerating chamber B of each section of the double unit comprised by the body A, seen in Figure 1. It is contemplated that a cooling fluid of any suitable kind will be caused to circulate 5 through the parts of the coil I in order to supply the necessary refrigeration for the chamber B. A door D is used to close the chamber B of each refrigerating unit, at the front of the body A, and will be held closed by any suitable handoperated lock means, such as conventionally illustrated at 2. The coils l in the chamber B are so disposed as to afford a considerable free space in the chamber, in which space there will be disposed the barrel, keg, or cask 3 which contains the liquid to be dispensed, beer for instance.

The construction of the receptacle 3 is not intended to be changed from the condition of its normal vendition, save to remove the bung that normally closes the bung hole 4 at the top of said keg or cask. It is contemplated that the keg or receptacle 3 shall be arranged in the chamber 3 so that the bung hole 4 is disposed in substantial vertical alignment with an opening 5 at the top of the refrigerating unit which comprises the chamber B. The opening 5 leads from the top of the chamber B through the outer and inner walls thereof and is adapted to be closed by means of a closure comprising the sections 6. The sections 6 are virtually half sections of the complete closure and are provided at the meeting or straight sides thereof with matching recesses to receive therebetween the dispensing pipe 1 of a dispensing unit or draft tube structure which may comprise the faucet 8 connected to said pipe 1. The opening 5 is of much larger diameter than the pipe 1 and this facilitates connection of the pipe I with the keg or receptacle 3 when the closure sections 6 are temporarily removed for such purpose. The dispensing unit also includes a pressure supply pipe or conduit 9 which also passes upwardly and outwardly from the chamber B through recesses between the sections 6 of the closure means that closes the opening 5. The conduit or pipe 9 may be connected to a suitable pressure line and will supply fluid pressure to the pipe I for causing the liquid in the container 3 to be dispensed after a known manner. 50

Suitable handles l0 may be provided for the closure sections 6 to facilitate removal and replacement.

The operation of the invention will be clear from the foregoing. Upon opening of the door D of one of the refrigerating units, the receptacle 3 containing the liquid to be dispensed may be placed Within the chamber B of said unit. Thereupon, the bung at the bung hole 4 having been removed, the closure section 6 may be temporarily displaced, and the dispensing unit I, 8, 9 passed through the top of the chamber B so that the pipe 1 enters the receptacle 3 through the bung hole 4. Thereafter the sections 6 may be replaced and there will be established a tight connection between the same and the pipe parts i and 9 so as not to permit escape of refrigeration from the chamber B.

It has been proposed heretofore to cool beer and similar liquids vended in kegs or barrels similar to those containing beer, by employing a special construction of the receptacle in which the cooling coils are incorporated within the same. Then when the liquid is to be dispensed the cooling coils are connected up with a refrigerating system and a suitable refrigerant circulated through said coils. Obviously the foregoing system requires a special construction of the keg or barrel that is avoided by the employment of the improvements of the present invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is:

A refrigerating and dispensing unit of the class described, comprising, in combination, a refrigerating chamber having a permanent top wall united to its side walls, a door for access to said chamber, a beverage receptacle emplaced in the chamber, the said receptacle being provided with an opening, a draft tube structure comprising a faucet pipe and pressure supply pipe joined thereto and entering said opening, and the refrigerating chamber having an opening in its top wall through which the draft tube structure passes for cooperation with said beverage receptacle in the refrigerating chamber, a sectional closure for the opening in the top wall of the refrigerating chamber and relatively small compared to the area of the top Wall, and coacting with the draft tube structure to removably hold same in place and to permit of passing the draft tube structure through said opening when the closure is displaced therefrom, the sections of said closure having matching recesses at adjacent sides snugly receiving and fitting against the faucet pipe and additional matching recesses at said adjacent sides snugly receiving and fitting the pressure supply pipe of the draft tube structure, and handle means for manipulating said closure sections.

DON O. CAMERON. 

